Lord Śiva is One of the Twelve Mahājana Authorities
In the pursuit of transcendental understanding, one cannot rely on mental speculation or mundane research. As elucidated by Śrīla Prabhupāda, the Vedic scriptures explicitly list twelve mahājanas who are fully authorized to speak and propagate the principles of religion. In this esteemed lineage of self-realized souls, Lord Śiva stands as one of the primary authorities, expertly guiding humanity toward Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
The Authorized Mahājanas of Vedic Science
True religious principles are handed down through a specific, authorized chain of enlightened teachers. To escape the bewildering influence of worldly illusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises sincere seekers to accept the guidance of the twelve great personalities designated by the Supreme Lord. Among these exalted mahājanas, Lord Śiva is a foundational pillar, ensuring the pure distribution of God consciousness throughout the universe.
- According to the Vedic sastras there are twelve authorities. These are Svayambhu, Narada, Sambhu, Kumara, Kapila, Manu, Prahlada, Janaka, Bhisma, Bali, Sukadeva Gosvami and Yamaraja. Svayambhu is Brahma, and Sambhu is Lord Siva.
- Lord Siva is one of the twelve great personalities, as stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 6.3.20). These are twelve great authorities in preaching God consciousness.
- Twelve personalities - Brahma, Narada, Lord Siva, Kumara, Kapila, Manu, Prahlada Maharaja, Janaka Maharaja, Bhisma, Bali, Sukadeva Gosvami and Yamaraja - are agents of the Lord authorized to speak and propagate the principles of religion.
- Indeed, he (Lord Siva) is one of the mahajanas, the twelve authorities on Vaisnava philosophy (svayambhur naradah sambhuh kumarah kapilo manuh, etc.) - SB 6.3.20.
Following the Authentic Paramparā System
Spiritual realization requires submissive hearing from an unbroken disciplic succession. To avoid the trap of manufactured religions and bogus apasampradāyas, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs his followers to strictly adhere to the paramparā system descending from recognized authorities like Lord Śiva. By following in the exact footsteps of these great personalities, the conditioned soul easily navigates the path of devotional service.
- No one can manufacture a religious principle by imperfect speculation. One must follow in the footsteps of great authorities like Brahma, Siva, Narada, Manu, Kumara, Kapila, Prahlada, Bhisma, Sukadeva Gosvami, Yamaraja, Janaka, etc.
- Yamaraja states herein (SB 6.3.20-21) that this religious principle is understandable if one follows the parampara system of Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, the four Kumaras and the other standard authorities.
- In the present day there are many apasampradayas, or sampradayas which are not bona fide, which have no link to authorities like Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, the Kumaras or Laksmi. People are misguided by such sampradayas.
- If one adheres to the principles and follows in the footsteps of the higher authorities, as advised by Lord Siva, one can easily become a devotee of Lord Vasudeva. This is also confirmed by Prahlada Maharaja.
Lord Śiva as the Greatest Vaiṣṇava
Despite his position as the controller of the material mode of ignorance, Lord Śiva is revered as the topmost devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. His prayers and deep meditations are entirely perfect and worthy of emulation. It is frequently emphasized by Śrīla Prabhupāda that because Lord Śiva is such an exalted authority on Vaiṣṇava philosophy, accepting his teachings and offering him all due respect is an essential part of transcending material nescience.
- We offer all respect to Lord Siva. We consider Siva as the best of the Vaisnavas. Vaisnavanam yatha sambhu. And we have got sampradaya from Siva. He is considered one of the authority of Vaisnavism.
- The prayers offered by Lord Siva are very authoritative and significant. Simply by offering prayers to the Supreme Lord one can become perfect, even though engaged in his occupational duty.
- There are twelve authorities. Lord Siva is one of the authorities. Svayambhur naradah sambhuh. (SB 6.3.20). Sambhu is authority. He says - Krsna worship, Visnu worship is good, but still better worship is to worship the krsna-bhaktas.
- This process (of accepting the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord) is recommended here (in SB 10.2.30) by authorities like Lord Brahma and Lord Siva (svayambhur naradah sambhuh), and therefore we must take to this process in order to transcend nescience.
The Subordinate Position of the Demigods
While the authorities of the universe possess inconceivable power and wisdom, they are never independent of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is clarified by Śrīla Prabhupāda that Lord Śiva, along with all other demigods, originally receives his knowledge from Lord Kṛṣṇa. Because they are absolutely subordinate to the Supreme Lord, these empowered entities strictly follow His commands and never disobey His divine will.
- Krsna is the original spiritual master of Lord Brahma, of Lord Siva, Narada, so many other authorities. There are twelve authorities, svayambhur naradah sambhuh - SB 6.3.20.
- All these authorities (Siva, Lord Brahma, Manu or Narada) are certainly very powerful, but they do not have the power to disobey the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- All these personalities (Sanaka, Sanatana, Narada, Siva, the Manus) underwent great austerities and penances and thus became authorities in Vedic knowledge. Perfect knowledge for human beings, as well as all living entities, is contained in the Vedas.
- There are twelve mahajanas, great authorities on devotional service, and Lord Siva is one of them. Why, then, did he adopt the process of Mayavada philosophy? The answer is given in the Siva Purana.
Conclusion
The Absolute Truth is guarded and propagated by a select group of divinely empowered personalities. By closely examining the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we understand that Lord Śiva is not merely a powerful demigod, but one of the twelve supreme mahājanas who perfectly represent Lord Kṛṣṇa. By respecting his position as the greatest Vaiṣṇava and following the authorized paramparā descending from him, sincere souls are guaranteed safe passage out of material darkness and into the eternal realm of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Siva is an Authority. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.